Official 2023-2024 Hot Stove! 🔥

[This is dumb]

Might as well light it up now. Need starters, a couple hitters, a catcher and maybe even a whole new coaching staff.

[Saint]

1. New Manager
2. Starting pitcher
3. Reliever
4. OF bat
5. Backup C

[Ashitaka]

HALLELUJAH CHORUS

[Ashitaka]

Wish list

1. New manager
2. JORDAN MONTGOMERY
3. Lourdes Gurriel
4. Diaz everyday catcher (have I mentioned that Cesar Salazar would actually be a fine backup C?)
5. 2 relievers

[Ashitaka]

WOW. Get lost.

[Saint]

Oct 23, 2023 22:14:31 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Wish list

1. New manager
2. JORDAN MONTGOMERY
3. Lourdes Gurriel
4. Diaz everyday catcher (have I mentioned that Cesar Salazar would actually be a fine backup C?)
5. 2 relievers

That's a solid list.

[inaltuvewetrust]

Managerial candidates I keep seeing in various articles to replace Dusty:

• Joe Espada (we might not agree with this but he's obviously going to be a candidate)
• Craig Counsell
• Mark DeRosa
• Phil Nevin (no thanks)
• Brad Ausmus

[Ashitaka]

Oct 24, 2023 5:47:20 GMT -6 Saint said:

Oct 23, 2023 22:14:31 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Wish list

1. New manager
2. JORDAN MONTGOMERY
3. Lourdes Gurriel
4. Diaz everyday catcher (have I mentioned that Cesar Salazar would actually be a fine backup C?)
5. 2 relievers

That's a solid list.

I do wonder what they do with the outfield. I put Gurriel up there, and he shouldn't be terribly expensive, but he's an average-ish hitter like his brother. There's an argument that could be made for Brantley coming back and trying to bridge the gap to a Dezenzo or Melton or something, but I just don't know about the shoulder. Maybe they could DH Diaz and let Yordan play LF a couple times a week. Diaz played some LF in the minors as well.

They just don't really have the ability to trade for an OF unless they get creative. Hear me out; Framber is a headcase and has two years left and there's no way they will (or even should probably) extend him. Maybe some other team with a glut of good OF prospects looking to make a move would bet on Framber bouncing back...

[bearbryant]

I just want Brown to have control on acquisitions and hires, and not have to check with Crane's trust of former MLBers. I'm skeptical Crane will go back to giving his GM free reign though

[m240]

1.  Do you make Altuve and Bregman Astros for life, if so get it done.
2.  Sign Tucker to a long term deal or trade him.  
3.  Find a starting catcher so we have a 1A and a 1B situation so we can work Diaz into first base.
4.  Figure out what happened to Pena in the second half of the year.  
5.  Sign Montgomery and trade Framber.  
6.  Convert Brown to a multiple inning reliever.
7.  Figure out what the hell happened mid season that caused our pitching to fall off of a cliff.  
8.  One more solid reliever 

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 10:24:02 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Oct 24, 2023 5:47:20 GMT -6 Saint said:

That's a solid list.

I do wonder what they do with the outfield. I put Gurriel up there, and he shouldn't be terribly expensive, but he's an average-ish hitter like his brother. There's an argument that could be made for Brantley coming back and trying to bridge the gap to a Dezenzo or Melton or something, but I just don't know about the shoulder. Maybe they could DH Diaz and let Yordan play LF a couple times a week. Diaz played some LF in the minors as well.

They just don't really have the ability to trade for an OF unless they get creative. Hear me out; Framber is a headcase and has two years left and there's no way they will (or even should probably) extend him. Maybe some other team with a glut of good OF prospects looking to make a move would bet on Framber bouncing back...

I can't imagine they would give up on Framber after a poor postseason. Even with this year's numbers he not bad in the postseason (and he was elite in 2022):

15 Starts: 7-5 4.24 ERA 92K/80 IP

Yes, we want better... But I don't think we trade him over it. He's durable and at least a #2 starter.

[Ashitaka]

Oct 24, 2023 11:13:38 GMT -6 m240 said:

1.  Do you make Altuve and Bregman Astros for life, if so get it done.
2.  Sign Tucker to a long term deal or trade him.  
3.  Find a starting catcher so we have a 1A and a 1B situation so we can work Diaz into first base.
4.  Figure out what happened to Pena in the second half of the year.  
5.  Sign Montgomery and trade Framber.  
6.  Convert Brown to a multiple inning reliever.
7.  Figure out what the hell happened mid season that caused our pitching to fall off of a cliff.  
8.  One more solid reliever 

1. There is no replacement for either. Altuve is obvious, so let me talk about Bregman for a minute, since a bunch of people are down on him since he didn't maintain his 8 WAR dominance from 2018-2019. From 2020 to present, he's been the fifth best 3B in all of baseball by WAR, even with injuries and with his fall off from his career years. Only Ramirez, Machado, Riley, and Arenado have been better. Three of those guys are in the NL. Bregman has literally been the second-best at his position in the league over the last four seasons. We have nothing internal that can even come close. There are no free agents that come close. If you don't resign him, you will be facing a major decline at that position.

2. I honestly think they have to resign Tucker now that they traded Gilbert. They will not be able to assemble a great outfield long-term if they don't. There's just not enough internally anymore. Maybe Melton is a solid everyday guy. I hope so. Tucker has two years left, and Chas only has three (he's been around longer than most remember).

3. Diaz needs to be playing C 4-5 times a week. He's a good receiver with a great arm. I don't think we need to spend resources on someone to take experience and playing time away from him.

4. Pena's year was weird. He hit six home runs in April, 2 in May, 1 in June, 1 on July 5th, and that was it. Despite that, his best month was August, when he hit .333/.426/.455...but no long balls. I honestly think he was better overall at the plate, but he needs to find the power again without the improvements to walk and strikeout rates he made vanishing in the process.

5. Yes.

6. No.

7. The great mystery that needs answering.

8. Need more than one. Stanek and Neris are gone (good). Maton is gone as well.

[Ashitaka]

Oct 24, 2023 12:07:30 GMT -6 Saint said:

Oct 24, 2023 10:24:02 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

I do wonder what they do with the outfield. I put Gurriel up there, and he shouldn't be terribly expensive, but he's an average-ish hitter like his brother. There's an argument that could be made for Brantley coming back and trying to bridge the gap to a Dezenzo or Melton or something, but I just don't know about the shoulder. Maybe they could DH Diaz and let Yordan play LF a couple times a week. Diaz played some LF in the minors as well.

They just don't really have the ability to trade for an OF unless they get creative. Hear me out; Framber is a headcase and has two years left and there's no way they will (or even should probably) extend him. Maybe some other team with a glut of good OF prospects looking to make a move would bet on Framber bouncing back...

I can't imagine they would give up on Framber after a poor postseason. Even with this year's numbers he not bad in the postseason (and he was elite in 2022):

15 Starts: 7-5 4.24 ERA 92K/80 IP

Yes, we want better... But I don't think we trade him over it. He's durable and at least a #2 starter.

The argument isn't that he isn't still valuable, the argument is that if we replace him with Montgomery we could use his final two years of control to bring back a serious prospect with six years of control. This team needs to bring in young, controlled talent or the window likely closes within the next 12-24 months. Things were already bad and then they jumped the shark with Gilbert.

[Saint]

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 12:13:15 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Oct 24, 2023 12:07:30 GMT -6 Saint said:

I can't imagine they would give up on Framber after a poor postseason. Even with this year's numbers he not bad in the postseason (and he was elite in 2022):

15 Starts: 7-5 4.24 ERA 92K/80 IP

Yes, we want better... But I don't think we trade him over it. He's durable and at least a #2 starter.

The argument isn't that he isn't still valuable, the argument is that if we replace him with Montgomery we could use his final two years of control to bring back a serious prospect with six years of control. This team needs to bring in young, controlled talent or the window likely closes within the next 12-24 months. Things were already bad and then they jumped the shark with Gilbert.

I don't disagree. I just don't think it happens. I don't believe they'll see that as the trade to make. I believe Urquidy or France would be more likely.

[Ashitaka]

Oct 24, 2023 12:18:31 GMT -6 Saint said:

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

We're talking about less than half a season's worth of games total. But even if it does continue, this team doesn't even make the playoffs this year without him. If you let him walk, what's your backup strategy? We have nothing internal to replace him with, not even close.

[Ashitaka]

Been looking Lourdes Gurriel over some more and I'm really liking him. He is not a superstar but he sure is solid. He's a plus defensive LF by most metrics, and is essentially Yuli with the stick; he will hit around .280 and strike out less than 20% of the time. 20 HR power. His splits are nice; 117 wRC+ and .290 average vs. LHP, 111 wRC+ and .275 average vs. RHP. Just looks like the kind of solid, everyday two win player that could help fill a hole in the lineup without costing a fortune. He might not even get a four year deal this off-season, but I could see myself going that long at maybe $15 million per year.

[Ashitaka]

Altuve 2B
Bregman 3B
Yordan DH
Tucker RF
Chas CF
Abreu 1B
Diaz C
Gurriel LF
Pena SS

That is not bad, folks.

[Ashitaka]

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 12:23:45 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Oct 24, 2023 12:18:31 GMT -6 Saint said:

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

We're talking about less than half a season's worth of games total. But even if it does continue, this team doesn't even make the playoffs this year without him. If you let him walk, what's your backup strategy? We have nothing internal to replace him with, not even close.

I'm just putting it out there as additional information.

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 12:50:32 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Been looking Lourdes Gurriel over some more and I'm really liking him. He is not a superstar but he sure is solid. He's a plus defensive LF by most metrics, and is essentially Yuli with the stick; he will hit around .280 and strike out less than 20% of the time. 20 HR power. His splits are nice; 117 wRC+ and .290 average vs. LHP, 111 wRC+ and .275 average vs. RHP. Just looks like the kind of solid, everyday two win player that could help fill a hole in the lineup without costing a fortune. He might not even get a four year deal this off-season, but I could see myself going that long at maybe $15 million per year.

I would think he would get as much or than Benintendi. What was his contract?

[unionstation82]

Oct 24, 2023 12:18:31 GMT -6 Saint said:

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

He seems to continuously fade away around September.

[ɮօʀȶǟʐ]

Does anyone want the team to allow Brantley to steal 12 or 14 million again this next season?

[thomasj13]

Oct 24, 2023 17:59:02 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Does anyone want the team to allow Brantley to steal 12 or 14 million again this next season?

Nope, low base + performance bonuses

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 8:55:21 GMT -6 inaltuvewetrust said:

Managerial candidates I keep seeing in various articles to replace Dusty:

• Joe Espada (we might not agree with this but he's obviously going to be a candidate)
• Craig Counsell
• Mark DeRosa
• Phil Nevin (no thanks)
• Brad Ausmus

I have a little interest in Kapler.

[Saint]

Oct 24, 2023 17:59:02 GMT -6 ɮօʀȶǟʐ said:

Does anyone want the team to allow Brantley to steal 12 or 14 million again this next season?

What about $5 million base with up to $5 million more based on games played?

[talshill]

Oct 24, 2023 11:13:38 GMT -6 m240 said:

1.  Do you make Altuve and Bregman Astros for life, if so get it done.
2.  Sign Tucker to a long term deal or trade him.  
3.  Find a starting catcher so we have a 1A and a 1B situation so we can work Diaz into first base.
4.  Figure out what happened to Pena in the second half of the year.  
5.  Sign Montgomery and trade Framber.  
6.  Convert Brown to a multiple inning reliever.
7.  Figure out what the hell happened mid season that caused our pitching to fall off of a cliff.  
8.  One more solid reliever 

1. Yes to both
2. Sign him. No other choice.
3. We have a starting catcher.
4. Good luck.
5. a. Yes b. No
6. No
7. Already know. Using multiple rookies not used to the workload caused excessive stress on a BP that had already regressed. Then FV and CV forgot what made them successful, which stressed the BP even more, which in turn put more stress on the upcoming starters to do well. Plus Baker trying to squeeze another inning from his SP.

Framber and Tucker aren't going anywhere. I agree we should start looking for a C so that Diaz can play 1b in a couple of years when Abreu's contract is up.

They need a SP, 2 RP, and a LF. Or a CF and move Chas to left.

We'll have to deal with Altuve's atrocious defense a while longer.

[Ashitaka]

Oct 24, 2023 17:08:41 GMT -6 Saint said:

Oct 24, 2023 12:50:32 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Been looking Lourdes Gurriel over some more and I'm really liking him. He is not a superstar but he sure is solid. He's a plus defensive LF by most metrics, and is essentially Yuli with the stick; he will hit around .280 and strike out less than 20% of the time. 20 HR power. His splits are nice; 117 wRC+ and .290 average vs. LHP, 111 wRC+ and .275 average vs. RHP. Just looks like the kind of solid, everyday two win player that could help fill a hole in the lineup without costing a fortune. He might not even get a four year deal this off-season, but I could see myself going that long at maybe $15 million per year.

I would think he would get as much or than Benintendi. What was his contract?

Benintendi was $15 million per year for 5 years. However he was coming off a stronger overall offensive season (though with much less power) and is three years younger. Given that, 4 years at $15 million per year strikes me as the max, and maybe even less.

[talshill]

Oct 24, 2023 12:18:31 GMT -6 Saint said:

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

Doesn't matter.

[kyledriver1980]

Oct 24, 2023 18:55:57 GMT -6 talshill said:

Oct 24, 2023 12:18:31 GMT -6 Saint said:

Just remember when talking about extending Tucker for crazy money:

Postseasons with an OPS over .750: 1

.237/.315/.389 postseason career rates

Doesn't matter.

Yup. We never hesitated at extending Biggio and Bagwell. They were both horrible in the playoffs.